WO2009062919A1

WO2009062919A1 - A washing machine

Info

Publication number: WO2009062919A1
Application number: PCT/EP2008/065255
Authority: WO
Inventors: Can Meydanli; Emre Karabacak
Original assignee: Arcelik Anonim Sirketi
Priority date: 2007-11-12
Filing date: 2008-11-11
Publication date: 2009-05-22

Abstract

The present invention relates to a washing machine (1) that comprises a drum (2) wherein the laundry is emplaced, an agitator (3) that extends from the rear wall of the drum (2) towards the inside for activating the laundry, a motor (4), a drum pulley (11) that transfers the motion of the motor (4) to the drum (2) for rotating the drum (2), having support arms (20) disposed at certain angles for increasing the strength, and a drum shaft (5) forming the rotational axis of the drum (2) by bearing on the drum pulley (11).

Description

A WASHING MACHINE

[0001] The present invention relates to a washing machine that comprises an agitator disposed inside the drum for activating the laundry.

[0002] In washing machines, the mechanical effect is also important in cleaning the laundry besides water, detergent and temperature. In horizontal axis washing machines, the laundries are carried upwards by means of the vanes disposed on the inner wall of the drum. The laundry, carried by the vanes, as the drum rotates falls into the detergent containing water after being lifted up to a certain height. The detergent water detaches the dirt by passing through the pores between the fibers of the laundry impacting the detergent water with a speed that is the resultant of the falling and rotation speeds.

[0003] As the diameter of the drum and hence the amount of laundry placed in the drum increases, it becomes difficult to lift the laundry close to the drum axis by the vanes. In this case, a mechanical motion has to be given to the laundry remaining in the center of the drum in order to increase the washing effectiveness.

[0004] In the conventional technique, various types of agitators are explained that extend into the drum for agitating the laundry in order to increase the washing effectiveness in horizontal or vertical axis washing machines.

[0005] In the state of the art document no. GB975116, a washing machine is explained that comprises two pulleys and a belt for rotating the drum and the agitator.

[0006] The aim of the present invention is the realization of a washing machine comprising an agitator that can rotate in the same or opposite direction of the drum.

[0007] The washing machine realized in order to attain the aim of the present invention, explicated in the first claim and the respective claims thereof, comprises an agitator wheel for rotating the agitator, a drum wheel that rotates together with the drum pulley, a transmission unit disposed between the drum wheel and the agitator wheel, and a transfer unit that actuates the transmission unit, providing the transmission unit to contact with the agitator wheel for rotating the agitator in the opposite direction of the drum, or blocking the contact and passing between the support arms so that the agitator rotates in the same direction as the drum.

[0008] The transfer unit is situated between the drum wheel and the agitator wheel. The transfer unit moving back and forth between these wheels, provides the transmission unit to contact the agitator wheel for rotating the agitator in the opposite direction of the drum, or blocks the contact with the agitator wheel so that the agitator rotates in the same direction as the drum.

[0009] The motion of the drum wheel rotating together with the drum pulley is transmitted to the agitator wheel by means of the conical gears disposed in the transmission unit. In the washing step, the conical gears contact the agitator wheel by means of the conical gears moving on the arm enabling the agitator to rotate in the opposite direction of the drum. Whereas in the spinning step, the conical gears sliding on the arm by the motion of the transfer unit, do not contact the agitator wheel and the locking protrusions situated on the transfer unit pass between the support arms, maintaining the agitator to rotate in the same direction as the pulley and hence the rotation of the drum.

[0010] The back and forth motion of the transfer unit along the shaft axis is provided by a driver controlled by the control unit.

[0011] The movement of the transfer unit along the shaft axis can be transferred to the conical gears situated on the arms disposed in the vertical direction of the said axis by means of the actuator situated on the transfer unit and the inclined surfaces of the intermediary element disposed on the transmission unit, whereto the said actuator contacts.

[0012] In another embodiment of the present invention, the stoppers disposed on the arm prevent the intermediary element slidingly moving on the arm and the conical gear from sliding to the center of the transmission unit or detaching from the transmission unit.

[0013] In another embodiment of the present invention, the washing machine comprises a spring disposed between the stopper and the conical gear, applying a continuous force on the conical gear so that the conical gear remains in the intended position. [0014] By means of the present invention, in horizontal axis washing machines, the agitator is rotated depending on the washing and spinning steps.

Accordingly, the laundry emplaced in big diameter drums can be washed more effectively since the mechanical movement in the drum is increased. [0015] A washing machine realized in order to attain the aim of the present invention is illustrated in the attached figures, where: [0016] Figure 1 - is the schematic view of a washing machine. [0017] Figure 2 - is the perspective view of a transmission unit and a transfer unit.

[0018] Figure 3 - is the perspective view of the transmission unit [0019] Figure 4 - is the perspective view of the transfer unit. [0020] The elements illustrated in the figures are numbered as follows:

1. Washing machine

2. Drum

3. Agitator

4. Motor

5. Drum shaft

6. Agitator shaft

7. Transfer unit

8. Transmission unit

9. Drum wheel

10. Agitator wheel

11. Drum pulley

12. Driver

13. Conical gear

14. Actuator

15. Intermediary element

16. Bearing

17. Arm

18. Stopper

19. Spring

20. Support arm 21. Locking protrusion

[0021] The washing machine (1) comprises a drum (2) wherein the laundry is emplaced, an agitator (3) that extends from the rear wall of the drum (2) towards the inside for activating the laundry, a motor (4), a drum pulley (11) that transfers the motion of the motor (4) to the drum (2) for rotating the drum (2), having support arms (20) disposed at certain angles for increasing the strength, a drum shaft (5) forming the rotational axis of the drum (2) by bearing on the drum pulley (11), an agitator wheel (10) transferring motion to the agitator (3), a drum wheel (9) disposed on the drum pulley (11) coaxially with the drum pulley (11) and rotating together with the drum pulley (11), a transmission unit (8) situated between the drum wheel (9) and the agitator wheel (10) and a transfer unit (7) that actuates the transmission unit (8), providing the transmission unit (8) to contact the agitator wheel (10) for rotating the agitator (3) in the opposite direction of the drum (2), or blocking the contact and passing between the support arms (20) so that the agitator (3) rotates in the same direction as the drum (2) (Figure 1).

[0022] The washing machine (1) furthermore comprises an agitator shaft (6) disposed inside the drum shaft (5), coaxially with the drum shaft (5). The agitator shaft (6) is connected to the agitator wheel (10). The drum shaft (5), disposed between the drum pulley (11) and the motor (4), rotates the drum pulley (11) by transferring the motion of the motor (4) to the drum pulley (11) and the drum (2) is rotated by the drum shaft (5) bearing to the drum pulley (11) and rotating together with the drum pulley (11). The agitator (3) is secured on the end of the agitator shaft (6) that passes from the rear wall of the drum (2) and extends inwards. The agitator wheel (10) is disposed on the rear of the drum (2) coaxially with the drum pulley (11) and has a smaller diameter than the drum (2).

[0023] The transmission unit (8) comprises a bearing (16) whereon the drum shaft (5) is beared and secured, two arms (17) that extend oppositely on the bearing (16), in the same direction and vertical to the drum shaft (5), two conical gears (13) disposed on the ends of each of the two arms (17), having inclined surfaces, and an intermediary element (15) that adjusts the position of the conical gear (13) on the arm (17) and enables thereof to remain in that position by moving back and forth on the arm (17) (Figure

3).

[0024] The transfer unit (7) is disposed coaxially on the transmission unit (8) that is mounted on the drum shaft (5). The transfer unit (7) can make shifting movement along the drum shaft (5) between the agitator wheel (10) and the drum wheel (9). The drum shaft (5) comprises more than one actuator (14), extending perpendicular to its axis, having an inclined surface matching the inclined surface on the intermediary element (15) and more than one locking protrusion (21) extending towards the drum pulley (11) being able to pass between the support arms (20). The movement of the transfer unit (7) along the shaft is transferred to the conical gears (13) by means of the inclined surfaces on the intermediary element (15) and the actuator (14) to the conical gears (13) enabling the conical gears (13) to move along the arm (17) (Figure 4).

[0025] The washing machine (1) comprises a driver (12) that activates the transfer unit (7) between the wheels (9 and 10) for moving along the direction of the shaft (5) axis. The driver (12) is actuated by the control unit that controls the washing machine (1). The driver (12) is energized by the control unit, depending on the washing or the spinning step, and the transfer unit (7) is activated so that the conical gears (8) of the transmission unit (8) situated thereon contact the agitator wheel (10) or the locking protrusions (21) pass between the support arms (20) (Figure 2).

[0026] The motor (4) starts to operate when the washing machine (1) is operated by the user upon selecting the washing program. The movement of the motor (4) is transferred to the drum shaft (5) by the drum pulley (11) and hence to the drum (2) mounted to the drum shaft (4) thereby rotating the drum (2).

[0027] During the washing step, the inclined contact surfaces on the actuator (14) on the transfer unit (7), shifted to the first position by the driver (12), and on the intermediary element (15) on the transmission unit (8) bear against each other. In this position, the conical gears (13) are in the closest position to the drum shaft (5). At the same time, the conical gears (13) are aligned with the drum wheel (9) and the agitator wheel (10), and the conical gears (13) are in contact with both the drum wheel (9) and the agitator wheel (10). The motion of the drum pulley (11) rotated by the motor (4) is transferred to the agitator wheel (10) by the conical gear (13) in contact with the drum wheel (9) that is activated together with the drum pulley (11). As a result of this, the agitator shaft (6) connected to the agitator wheel (10) and the agitator (3) mounted to the agitator shaft (6) rotate in the opposite direction of the drum (2). Rotating the agitator (3) disposed in the drum (2) in the opposite direction of the drum (2) during washing increases the mechanical effect thereby the laundry can be washed effectively. In this embodiment, the drum (2) rotates at half the speed of the agitator (3) due to the diameter difference of the pulley and the agitator wheel (10).

[0028] During the spinning step, the driver (12) changes the transfer unit (7) and the transmission unit (8) to the second position. In this position, the actuator (14) on the transfer unit (7) moves towards the drum pulley (11) in the direction of the shaft (5) axis. During this movement, the inclined surface on the actuator (14) pushes the inclined surface on the intermediary element (15) and the contact thereof with the drum wheel (9) and the agitator wheel (10) is blocked by pushing the conical gear (13). Simultaneously, the locking protrusions (21) on the transfer unit (7) pass between the pulley support arms (20). In this position, the support arms (20) bear against the locking protrusions (21) and the pulley rotates together with the transfer unit (7). The agitator shaft (6) connected to the agitator wheel (10) rotates the agitator (3) connected thereto in the same speed and direction of the drum (2). The agitator (3) disposed in the drum (2) rotating in the same direction as the drum (2) during the spinning step prevents the laundry from damaging.

[0029] In another embodiment of the present invention, the washing machine (1) comprises more than one stopper (18) that hinders the movement of the conical gear (13) and the intermediary element (15) on the arm (17), and prevents both elements from detaching from the arm (17).

[0030] In another embodiment of the present invention, the washing machine (1) comprises a spring (19) disposed on the transmission unit (8) between the stopper (18) and the conical gear (13), that applies a pressure force on the conical gear (13) so that the conical gear (13) is positioned on the arm (17). By means of the present invention, in horizontal axis washing machines (1) the agitator (3) is rotated depending on the motion of the drum (2). Thus, the laundry emplaced in the drum (2) in big diameter drums (2) can be washed more effectively since the mechanical motion in the drum (2) is increased.

Claims

1. A washing machine (1) that comprises a drum (2) wherein the laundry is emplaced, an agitator (3) that extends from the rear wall of the drum (2) towards the inside for activating the laundry, a motor (4), a drum pulley (11) that transfers the motion of the motor (4) to the drum (2) for rotating the drum (2), having support arms (20) disposed at certain angles for increasing the strength, and a drum shaft (5) forming the rotational axis of the drum (2) by bearing on the drum pulley (11), and characterized by

- an agitator wheel (10) transferring motion to the agitator (3),

- a drum wheel (9) disposed on the drum pulley (11) coaxially with the drum pulley (11) and rotating together with the drum pulley (11),

- a transmission unit (8) situated between the drum wheel (9) and the agitator wheel (10) and

- a transfer unit (7) that actuates the transmission unit (8), providing the transmission unit (8) to contact with the agitator wheel (10) for the agitator (3) to rotate in the opposite direction of the drum (2), or blocking the contact and passing between the support arms (20) so that the agitator (3) rotates in the same direction as the drum (2).

2. A washing machine (1) as in Claim 1 , characterized by an agitator (3) that rotates in the opposite direction of the drum (2) during the washing step.

3. A washing machine (1) as in Claim 1 , characterized by an agitator (3) that rotates in the same direction as the drum (2) during the spinning step.

4. A washing machine (1) as in Claim 1 , characterized by a transmission unit (8) comprising a bearing (16) whereon the drum shaft (5) is beared and secured, two arms (17) that extend oppositely on the bearing (16) in the same direction and vertical to the drum shaft (5), two conical gears (13) disposed on the end of each of the two arms (17), having inclined surfaces, and an intermediary element (15) that adjusts the position of the conical gear (13) on the arm (17) by moving back and forth on the arm (17) and enables thereof to remain in that position.

5. A washing machine (1) as in Claim 4, characterized by a transfer unit (7) disposed coaxially on the transmission unit (8) that is mounted on the drum shaft (5), that can make a shifting movement along the drum shaft (5) between the agitator wheel (10) and the drum wheel (9), comprising more than one actuator (14), extending perpendicular to the drum shaft (5) axis, having an inclined surface matching the inclined surface on the intermediary element (15) and more than one locking protrusion (21) extending towards the drum pulley (11) such that it can be inserted between the support arms (20).

6. A washing machine (1) as in Claim 1 , characterized by a driver (12) that actuates the transfer unit (7) between the drum and agitator wheels (9 and 10) for moving in the direction of the shaft (5) axis.

7. A washing machine (1) as in Claim 4, characterized by more than one stopper (18) that limit the movement of the conical gear (13) and the intermediary element (15) on the arm (17), preventing both elements from detaching from the arm (17).

8. A washing machine (1) as in Claim 4, characterized by a spring (19) disposed on the transmission unit (8) between the stopper (18) and the conical gear (13) that applies a pressure force on the conical gear (13) so that the conical gear (13) is positioned on the arm (17).